[012]

[fortune_sought]

[when Sophie turns on her CAT, her expression is neutral--very carefully so. on the surface, she seems normal, but someone looking closely might notice that her eyes are a bit red and puffy. otherwise, she has a blue shawl wrapped around her shoulders and is seated on the sofa in her townhome. as soon as she begins to speak, that neutral expression goes out the window, and her bitterness is clear]

Since they've so graciously given us some time to ourselves, I think we should use it wisely. It's been cold all day, and--knowing this town--that means it'll be worse tomorrow. I suggest everyone visit the stores and prepare for that. Also, I am going to knit hats and gloves with protective charms in them for anyone who is interested. If you'd like some, please stop by my townhome so I can take measurements.

[she pauses] And...to everyone who... [but her voice catches in her throat, and she lets it trail off. she swallows hard before adding, quickly, her voice thick:] Oh, nevermind! [she quickly shuts off her CAT]

[filtered to Kanaya]

[she takes a moment to collect herself before sending out another message, keeping her tone as businesslike as she can do] I know we met under rather...false pretenses. But if you do know how to knit, and you wouldn't mind, I could use your help. Would you like to?

Comments

[fortune_sought]

Not recently, no. But... [she pauses, hesitant] He--it, whoever it is--told me that would happen before it did.

[fortune_sought]

[she doesn't know the expression "average Joe," and Kon's analogy is a bit improper, but she gets the idea] I...see. Then I suppose that's at least better than an injury.

[she reaches up to wrap the tape measure around his head, her expression thoughtful] I could try to convince the sun to shine more strongly on you, but I'm not certain how much it would help...

[tactilekonesis]

[Ugh this isn't getting her to laugh or smile at ALL. Kon actually wrinkles his nose back at her, but it's not of ill intent - if anything, it's just because he's that determined to get her to smile somehow.]

Oh god yeah, it's not life-threatening. I'll be fine. It's not like being a regular human's suffering.

[desertdaggers]

Mm, that one's definitely nice. I'm sure they'll look fantastic. [he smiles and reaches out for his tea again, blowing on it before taking a sip.]

[He glances at her when she sighs, and sets the cup down again, tucking his hands in his lap.] Ah… well, you've done a lot already… [He presses his hands together, gaze going distant. He doesn't want to put too much on her, and she's undoubtedly got her own complications to deal with, but- He lets out a sigh, and slumps, focusing on Sophie again after a moment.] Do you- can I ask for a hug?

[fortune_sought]

[she removes the tape measure--and he does get a snort for his trouble, which is at least close to a laugh] Well, I'd certainly hope not!

[thoughtfully] But I could knit a charm into the hat, just to encourage the sun a bit. And a protective charm into the gloves. [she grabs a pad and pen to jot down the measurements]

[fortune_sought]

Well, I'll certainly do my best. I have to admit, I'm better at sewing than knitting, but I'm sure I can do this much. [she takes a sip of tea]

[but that request catches her completely off-guard. she stares] You... [she pales a bit, worried what he might mean by that request, especially considering he just asked her to call him by his first name] As a friend, of course. As long as...that's what you mean.

[tactilekonesis]

[A hat? He's not ungrateful, but hats are kind of dorky...] You think it'd work? I'm kind of bad at magic [he means he can't use it] so anything sounds awesome.

[bonnypiperlad]

[Before she's even finished with her sentence, he's stepping inside, a look of relief on his features. But even as cold as he is, he waves off the offer of the blanket.]

Thank ye, Sophie, but I'll be fine.

[He does take a seat, though - and eyes the teacakes thoughtfully. It's not why he's here, however.]

Are ye alright, though?

[desertdaggers]

I have every confidence in you!

[he hunches in on himself a little, and offers her a small sheepish smile] Of course. I… didn't mean it any other way, I promise.

so much later than i anticipated, sorry :'|

[chainsawspistice]

[Kanaya answers the smile with a small nod, which ends up being more awkward than she intended.] Thanks.

[She makes for the sofa and sets her sewing machine next to it before taking a seat.]

This idea of yours is a nice gesture. Have you had many expressions of interest yet?

[fortune_sought]

[just wait until it gets cold, Kon. you might be grateful!]

[she isn't sure how much it will do, but she knows better than to sound too uncertain when talking about a spell that relies on your will] It should help, yes, though I couldn't tell you how much exactly. But I have made air easier to breathe before, so it should be similar. [she pauses] Would you like me to try the spell now? It might not be quite the same as the charm will be, but it should be close.

[fortune_sought]

[she shuts the down, moving to grab her tape measure when that question brings her up short. she glances at Jamie, her expression guilty for a moment. but that guilt just makes her angry, and she snaps:] I don't see how I could be. We're still as trapped as ever!

[then she reddens and lowers her gaze, her tone softening] I'm sorry. That was unkind. It isn't your fault.

[fortune_sought]

[she smiles] Thank you.

Of course not. [she reddens and sets down her cup of tea. she quickly stands and moves over to him, feeling terribly awkward as she sits beside him so that she can wrap her arms around him. she intends to make it a quick hug--depending on how he responds, of course]

No worries!

[fortune_sought]

[she nods] Actually, yes. I imagine everyone's a bit worried about how cold it might get. [she frowns]

Really, it'll just be...nice to have something to do. [meaning she needs something to take her mind off the current situation, though she doesn't know Kanaya well enough to want to say so. she smiles again, but it's a bit weak] And it's kind of you to offer to help.

[desertdaggers]

[He stays still for a moment, and then raises his arms to wrap them around her, hiding his face against her shoulder and letting himself feel young enough to have this kind of comfort. He doesn't stay like that long, his own uncertainty and the sense that's she's not quite at ease with it pricking at him, and he pulls away after a little while, trying to smile at her.] …thank you. [he shifts a little, one hand going to his neck, and adds, by way of trying to explain a little] I… it's been a lot to deal with, since… well.

[fortune_sought]

[she's surprised by how young and uncertain he looks, and she finally realises why he asked her not to call him mister--and why he asked for the hug. it's something her sisters have done for years, not to mention Michael, even after she stopped appearing as an old woman. she nods at Hawk, giving him a warm smile in response to show that she's happy to do this now that she understands why] My door is always open, Hawk. But... [she frowns] What happened?

[chainsawspistice]

[She lightens.]

If anything, it's an opportunity. The human race's well honed taste for the aesthetic field has been one of the better pleasures I've experienced here. I'm happy to help.

[lamb_of_gold]

He...Sophie, did he tell you anything else?

[desertdaggers]

…thank you. I promise I'll remember to knock before coming in. [he manages a bit of a proper laugh]

The things this place does to us… what else? [his expression drops, and he looks down at his hands, fingers pressed together.] I… they gave us that happiness, and then pulled it out from under us. It's… you were all important to me before, but now…

[tactilekonesis]

Whoa. [Now he's impressed!]

If you're cool with it. I've always wanted to see you in action, but don't bother if it's too much effort.

[fortune_sought]

[she gives Kanaya a curious look] Yes, not to be rude, but I have been wondering. You don't like a golem or demon or anything I'm familiar with. What, erm, sort of being are you, exactly?

[fortune_sought]

[she shakes her head] Not exactly. He said... [she sighs, fighting a growing lump in her throat] He said that we were already home and just hadn't realised it. And I said home was with my husband and son, so he... [she cuts off, swallowing hard. when she speaks again, her voice is tight] Well, perhaps he didn't so much tell me what would happen as decide what would happen. Because of me.

[fortune_sought]

[she smiles back} I certainly hope so!

[but at that, she's quiet for a moment, looking down at her own lap. eventually, she says softly:] It was one of the cruelest things this place has ever done.

[she takes a deep breath and raises her gaze. her voice is more firm as she adds:] But if this place thinks we'll stop trying to go home because of that, then it's in for a surprise.

[fortune_sought]

[she reddens, a bit flustered] I'm not a trained witch, remember. I really don't know much about magic. But... [she takes a deep breath, standing and going over to a window so she has a good view of the sun]

Sun! Do you hear me, sun? Really, you're doing an appalling job right now. Can't you see that Conner needs more light or he'll be in state? Shine more strongly on him!

[she turns back to him, hopeful] Do you feel any different?

[and, by mod decree, the sun evaporates the clouds a little to allow a bit more light through in Conner's direction!]

[desertdaggers]

Yes. [it's an affirmation of both statements, and he sits up a little straighter, gaze focusing on Sophie's face] If we stop, we lose. And whatever else happens… this isn't right. It has to be stopped.